U.S. patent number 9,647,250 [Application Number 14/678,235] was granted by the patent office on 2017-05-09 for energy storage arrangement.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft. The grantee listed for this patent is Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Tuncay Idikurt, Norbert Linz, Alexander Muck, Matthias Wagner.
United States Patent |
9,647,250 |
Muck , et al. |
May 9, 2017 |
Energy storage arrangement
Abstract
An energy storage arrangement for supplying electric power, in
particular in a motor vehicle, includes at least a first energy
storage module and a second energy storage module mounted on top of
the first energy storage module. Each energy storage module has two
end plates and a plurality of storage cells tensioned between the
end plates. At least one end plate of the first energy storage
module is secured by at least one first screw, and at least one end
plate of the second energy storage module is secured by at least
one second screw. An internal thread is formed in the screw head of
the first screw, and the second screw is screwed into the screw
head of the first screw.
Inventors: |
Muck; Alexander (Munich,
DE), Idikurt; Tuncay (Munich, DE), Linz;
Norbert (Iphofen, DE), Wagner; Matthias (Munich,
DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft |
Munich |
N/A |
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bayerische Motoren Werke
Aktiengesellschaft (Munich, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
49182266 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/678,235 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20150214522 A1 |
Jul 30, 2015 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
PCT/EP2013/069197 |
Sep 17, 2013 |
|
|
|
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Oct 4, 2012 [DE] |
|
|
10 2012 218 162 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M
10/613 (20150401); B60L 58/21 (20190201); B60L
50/64 (20190201); B60L 50/66 (20190201); H01M
50/20 (20210101); B60K 1/04 (20130101); B60L
58/26 (20190201); H01M 10/625 (20150401); H01M
2220/20 (20130101); Y02T 10/70 (20130101); Y02P
70/50 (20151101); Y02E 60/10 (20130101); H01M
10/6554 (20150401); B60Y 2306/01 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01M
2/02 (20060101); H01M 10/613 (20140101); B60L
11/18 (20060101); H01M 10/625 (20140101); B60K
1/04 (20060101); H01M 2/10 (20060101); H01M
10/6554 (20140101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
102308412 |
|
Jan 2012 |
|
CN |
|
101 22 682 |
|
Nov 2001 |
|
DE |
|
10 2009 005 124 |
|
Jul 2010 |
|
DE |
|
11-339761 |
|
Dec 1999 |
|
JP |
|
2008-282639 |
|
Nov 2008 |
|
JP |
|
WO 2012/038008 |
|
Mar 2012 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
Chinese-language Office Action issued in counterpart Chinese
Application No. 201380043665.4 dated Jul. 1, 2016 with English
translation (Eight (8) pages). cited by applicant .
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) dated Oct. 24, 2013 with
English translation (five pages). cited by applicant .
German Search Report dated May 24, 2013 with partial English
translation (10 pages). cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Merkling; Matthew
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Crowell & Moring LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of PCT International Application
No. PCT/EP2013/069197, filed Sep. 17, 2013, which claims priority
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 from German Patent Application No. 10
2012 218 162.8, filed Oct. 4, 2012, the entire disclosures of which
are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An energy storage arrangement for supplying electric power,
comprising: at least a first energy storage module, and a second
energy storage module mounted on the first energy storage module;
each energy storage module comprises two end plates and a plurality
of storage cells tensioned between the end plates; at least one end
plate of the first energy storage module is secured by at least one
first screw, and at least one end plate of the second energy
storage module is secured by at least one second screw; and wherein
an internal thread is formed in a screw head of the first screw,
and the second screw is screwed into the screw head of the first
screw.
2. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
each end plate of the first energy storage module is secured by at
least two first screws, and each end plate of the second energy
storage module is secured by at least two second screws, which
second screws are respectively screwed into the screw heads of the
first screws.
3. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein an
inner polygon that is coaxial to the internal thread is formed in
the screw head of the first screw, for rotating the first
screw.
4. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first screw comprises a shoulder, the shoulder rests on an end
plate of the first energy storage module, and an end plate of the
second energy storage module rests on the screw head of the first
screw.
5. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, further
comprising: an intermediate base arranged between the first energy
storage module and the second energy storage module.
6. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the
intermediate base is clamped between the screw head of the first
screw and an end plate of the second energy storage module.
7. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 5, further
comprising: a cooling device arranged on the intermediate base.
8. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 6, further
comprising: a cooling device arranged on the intermediate base.
9. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
first screw comprises a lower region with an external thread and an
intermediate region without thread, the intermediate region being
between the screw head and the lower region.
10. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 9, wherein an
external diameter of the screw head is greater than an external
diameter of the intermediate region and of the lower region.
11. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the first screw is screwed into a housing of the energy storage
arrangement.
12. The energy storage arrangement according to claim 1, wherein
the arrangement is for a motor vehicle.
13. An energy storage arrangement for supplying electric power in a
motor vehicle, comprising: at least one energy storage module and a
component secured to the energy storage module; wherein the energy
storage module comprises two end plates and a plurality of storage
cells tensioned between the end plates, at least one end plate of
the energy storage module is secured by at least one first screw,
and the component is secured by at least one second screw, and an
internal thread is formed in a screw head of the first screw, and
the second screw is screwed into the screw head of the first screw.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an energy storage arrangement for
supplying electric power, in particular in a motor vehicle. The
energy storage arranagement is composed of at least two energy
storage modules. In each energy storage module, a plurality of
storage cells are braced against one another between two end
plates.
In a device for supplying electric power in a motor vehicle,
usually characterized as a battery, a plurality of energy storage
modules are generally used to drive the vehicle, for example in
electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. Each energy storage module
typically includes a plurality of stacked prismatic storage cells.
The individual storage cells contain electrochemical cells of the
battery. In most cases, the stack of individual storage cells is
tensioned (braced) by use of a mechanical end plate and a tie bar
to form the energy storage module. In addition to mechanically
securing the modules relative to one another, the end plates and
tie bar serve, in particular, to counteract any deformation
resulting from changes in gas pressure in the electrochemical cells
arranged inside the modules that may occur during operation.
The object of the present invention is to provide an energy storage
assembly in which a plurality of energy storage modules are
combined in a weight-optimized, reliable and crash-proof manner in
a cost-efficient production and assembly process.
This and other objects are achieved by an energy storage
arrangement for supplying electric power, in particular in a motor
vehicle, said arangement having at least a first energy storage
module and a second energy storage module which is mounted on top
of the first energy storage module. Each of the energy storage
modules has two end plates and a plurality of storage cells
tensioned between the end plates. The storage cells are generally
embodied as prismatic and are stacked in series in the energy
storage module. Thus, an energy storage module may comprise a
single row of storage cells or a plurality of parallel rows of
storage cells. The individual storage cells, in turn, comprise a
plurality of electrochemical cells. The energy storage modules are
secured by way of screws. The screws are inserted through the end
plates. The screws used for securing a first, lower energy storage
module are identified as "first screws". The second energy storage
module, mounted on top of the first, is secured by "second
screws".
According to the invention, an internal thread is formed in the
screw heads of the first screws. The second screws are screwed into
the internal thread in the screw heads of the first screws. Thus,
according to the invention, the end plates of the upper energy
storage module can be attached directly to the end plates of the
lower energy storage module. In this process, the upper energy
storage module is screw-connected to the screw heads of the first
screws.
According to the invention, no supporting intermediate bases are
necessary between the energy storage modules, and no special
structures are required in the housing in order to attach the
second energy storage module. The result is a cost-effective,
assembly-optimized and weight-optimized configuration of the energy
storage arrangement, particularly for a motor vehicle. The energy
storage arrangement is used, in particular, for exclusive or for
auxiliary driving of the motor vehicle. The term "motor vehicle"
includes automobiles, trucks, forklifts, etc.
More than two energy storage modules are preferably arranged one on
top of the other, in which case one energy storage module is
screw-connected to the screw heads of the energy storage module
beneath it.
Particularly preferably, each end plate is secured by at least two
screws. The end plates of the bottommost energy storage module
(first energy storage module) are preferably screw-connected to a
housing or a supporting structure.
It is further preferably provided that an inner polygon is formed
in the screw head of the first screw. This inner polygon is
arranged coaxially to the internal thread in the screw head. The
first screw can be tightened via the inner polygon using an
appropriate tool.
It is further preferably provided that the first screw comprises a
shoulder. The shoulder rests on one of the end plates of the first
energy storage module. One end plate of the second energy storage
module rests on the screw head of the first screw. In particular,
the first screw comprises a lower region, which has an external
thread, and an intermediate region between the lower region and the
screw head. The external diameter of the screw head is preferably
greater than that of the intermediate region and the lower region.
As a result, the above-mentioned shoulder is formed at the
transition point between screw head and intermediate region.
It is further preferably provided that an intermediate base is
arranged between the first energy storage module and the second
energy storage module. This intermediate base does not serve as the
sole supporting structure for the second energy storage module. The
intermediate base is used for supporting a cooling device, for
example. The cooling device is mounted on the intermediate base and
serves to cool the second energy storage module. Moreover, the
intermediate base can be used as a simple insulation element
between the two energy storage modules. The intermediate base is
preferably clamped between the screw head of the first screw and
one of the end plates of the second energy storage module. The
intermediate base is preferably also used for supporting the energy
storage modules on the housing and therefore for stabilizing the
energy storage assembly.
In the preferred embodiment, the first screws and the second screws
are identical, allowing the number of shared components used to be
maximized. In that case, the internal thread formed in the screw
head of the second screw remains unused.
The end plates of the energy storage modules preferably comprise
vertical through holes, into which the first and/or second screws
are inserted. These through holes preferably span the entire height
of the end plates, so that the entire length of the first and/or
second screws is accommodated within the end plates.
The invention further comprises an energy storage arrangement for
supplying electric power, in particular in a motor vehicle, having
at least one energy storage module and a component mounted on the
first energy storage module. The energy storage module comprises
two end plates and a plurality of storage cells tensioned between
the end plates. At least one end plate of the energy storage module
is secured by way of at least one first screw, and the component is
secured by at least one second screw, wherein an internal thread is
formed in the screw head of the first screw, and the second screw
is screwed into the screw head of the first screw. The component to
be secured is preferably a cover, a protection box or a control
unit. The screws are embodied similarly to the stacking of the
energy storage modules.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy storage module of the
energy storage arrangement of the invention, according to one
embodiment example.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a single storage cell of an energy
storage module of the energy storage arrangement of the invention,
according to the embodiment and shown in exploded and assembled
form;
FIG. 3 is a detail cross-section view of the energy storage
arrangement of the invention, according to the embodiment; and
FIG. 4 is a first screw used in the energy storage arrangement of
the invention, according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the following, one embodiment of an energy storage arrangement 1
is described in reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The energy storage
arrangement 1 is composed of at least a first energy storage module
11 and a second energy storage module 12 mounted on top of the
first energy storage module 11. The two energy storage modules 11,
12 have the same configuration. FIG. 1 shows one of the two energy
storage modules 11, 12.
In the energy storage module 11, 12 according to FIG. 1, a
plurality of storage cells 10 are arranged in series. According to
FIG. 1, two rows 4, 5 are provided, each having six storage cells
10. This assembly represents merely an example. For example, it is
also possible for only one row 4 comprising 16 storage cells 10 to
be provided. The storage cells 10 stacked in series are arranged
between two end plates 2. The end plates 2 are also characterized
as pressure plates. The end plates 2 are connected to one another
via three tie bars. If only one of rows 4 and 5 is provided, then
center tie bar 3 can be dispensed with. The tie bars 3 are welded
to the two end plates 2.
Two through holes 6 are provided in each of the end plates 2. A
screw connection is established via these through holes 6, which
will be described in relation to FIG. 3.
FIG. 2 shows a single storage cell 10. Storage cell 10 has two
connecting terminals 7. Insulating films 8 are attached to both
sides of storage cell 10, so that the individual storage cells 10
are insulated against one another in the energy storage module 11,
12.
FIG. 3 shows a sectional cross-section of energy storage assembly
1. In FIG. 3, second energy storage module 12 is mounted on first
energy storage module 11. First energy storage module 11 rests on a
housing 9.
The figure shows a cross-section of the end plates 2 of energy
storage modules 11 and 12. End plate 2 of first energy storage
module 11 shown is screw-connected to housing 9 by way of a first
screw 13. First screw 13 is inserted in through hole 6. First screw
13 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4. First screw 13 is divided
lengthwise into a screw head 15, a lower region 16 and an
intermediate region 17 located between screw head 15 and lower
region 16. An external thread is formed on lower region 16. First
screw 13 is screw-connected to housing 9 by way of this external
thread on the lower region 16. Intermediate region 17 has no
thread. An internal thread 20 is formed in screw head 15. An inner
polygon 21 is arranged coaxially to internal thread 20. Inner
polygon 21 is used for rotating and, therefore, for tightening
first screw 13 in housing 9.
At the transition from intermediate region 17 to screw head 15, a
shoulder 18 is formed. A brim 19 is located at the upper end of
screw head 15.
As FIG. 3 shows, shoulder 18 presses via a washer 23 against the
upper end of end plate 2 of first energy storage module 11.
Second energy storage module 12, in particular, one of the end
plates 2 of second energy storage module 12, rests on brim 19 of
screw head 15 of first screw 13. A second screw 14 is inserted
through through hole 6 in end plate 2 of second energy storage
module 12. This second screw 14 is screwed into internal thread 20
in screw head 15 of first screw 13. Therefore, second energy
storage module 12 is screw-connected directly to first screw 13 of
first energy storage module 11.
An intermediate base 22 is clamped between end plate 2 of second
energy storage module 12 and screw head 15 of first screw 13.
Intermediate base 22 performs no supporting function for second
energy storage module 12, but instead serves to hold a cooling
device, for example.
The embodiment example illustrates a cost-effective,
easy-to-assemble and weight-optimized option for stacking energy
storage modules 11 and 12.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
1 energy storage arrangement 2 end plate 3 tie bar 4, 5 rows 6
through holes 7 connecting pole 8 insulating film 9 housing 10
storage cells 11 first energy storage module 12 second energy
storage module 13 first screw 14 second screw 15 screw head 16
lower region 17 intermediate region 18 shoulder 19 brim 20 internal
thread 21 inner polygon 22 intermediate base 23 washer
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate
the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be construed to include everything within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *